January 25, 1765

Winthrop, John, 1714-1779

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Belcher

Winthrop congratulates Judge Belcher on recovering "from a dangerous illness." He notes having read that many French Acadians have been removed from Nova Scotia, Canada, to the West Indies, and observes that because of their religion, they "could hardly ever have been good Subjects to a Protestant government." Indicates that the Sugar Act and the Currency Act, referred to as "The late Acts of Trade," are widely discussed and cause much uneasiness among merchants and judges alike. He notes the death of Edward Wigglesworth, the first Hollis professor of Divinity at Harvard College. Discusses…

GLC01541.01

2 October 1781

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Assures Knox that he will not publish his correspondence and asks him to write often about the operation in Virginia. Reports that the British "suffered much more severely in the Action off Cape Henry than you seem to have expected," referring to the Second Battle of the Virginia Capes. Mentions the actions of several naval vessels. Reports that British troops have landed on Staten Island and impressed many wagons. There are rumors of the British coming to burn Philadelphia and the militia is preparing. The remainder of the Pennsylvania line is in Philadelphia and plans to march 600 men…

GLC02437.01205

17 April 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Suggestions to George Washington regarding maintenance and expansion of the United States military]

Knox offers his opinions regarding military matters and national security following the anticipated peace between the United States and Great Britain. Suggests maintaining a strong militia, noting "Every method should be devised to make the profession of arms honorable..." Recommends annual exhibitions of war to be attended by "first men of the community," stating that, "To an enlightened people arguments are unnecessary to enforce a truth so obvious. This is the moment to form habits which shall give a lustre to the American character." Advocates universal distribution of arms in America…

GLC02437.10107

25 September 1776

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to John Adams

Later copy. Responds to a request from Adams' (see GLC02437.00) and comments on the character and abilities of several officers, although he directs Adams to a list of officers rather than composing one himself. Discusses the difficulties of inducing good men to serve. Suggest the establishment of military academies. Discusses the problems of the Continental Army with reference to the activities in New York. Praises Gerge Washington and Nathanael Greene. Believes the Battle of Long Island was their one chance to win in New York. Discusses the fortification of Harlem Heights.

GLC02437.00454

11 May 1789

Barrett, Samuel, 1739-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox to help him find a job in the new government. Declares that he has a "numerous young Family to support" and has lost all his land by misfortune. Wants to be able to provide food, clothing and education for his children. Would either like an appointment in Knox's department, or for Knox to tell him of any new offices, departments or positions as they arise and to provide him with points of contact. Refer to GLC02437.04219 for Knox's reply.

GLC02437.04200

24 May 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Barrett

Received his last letter (GLC02437.04200). Declares that Barrett's education and reputation entitle him to request a position in the new government, but that all nominations are made by the President. Encourages him to submit a letter of application, and discusses what its contents should include.

GLC02437.04219

24 March 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Requests a certificate from Washington for Winthrop Sargent, who Knox describes as "really clever and... an excellent artillery officer." Promises to procure limestone when the weather improves. Discusses Washington's refusal of a gift from the Legislature of Virginia. States, "My jealousy for your fame is so high, that I should prefer seeing you cincinnatus like, following your plow rather than accepting the least pecuniary reward for services, which fairly challenge the approbation of posterity, but thank the supreme God, you are happily placed above the necessity of receiving any…

GLC02437.03118

9 September 1865

Saxton, Rufus, 1824-1908

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Recommending James A. DeForest for a position, possibly as a teacher. With a partial autograph note signed on the verso by DeForest, listing his credentials and requesting a position.

GLC02459.29

20 July 1858

Mann, Horace, 1796-1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to G. F. Hilton

Mann, abolitionist and President of Antioch College, responds to a letter from Hilton. Of the college, he writes, "We still hold together here, internally & educationally, we have been doing very well; externally & financially, very bad, But we think we have a gleam of better times."

GLC02448.11

12 December 1874

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874

Broadside

Title: Will the American people never cease to oppress and torture the helpless poor?

Begins with an excerpt from the New York "Tribune" indicating that thirty-five black children were ejected from public schools in Brazil, Indiana, by order of local trustees. Smith criticizes the children's ejection and urges the Republican Party to pass a pending Civil Rights Bill.

GLC02448.20

September 20, 1795

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Washington recently received a letter from Knox "with great pleasure." He comments on Knox's home in Maine (Knox retired to his estate, Montpelier, in 1795, located near the St. George River in Thomaston, Maine). Mentions the "Treaty with Great Britain," referring to the Jay Treaty, signed by Washington in August 1795. He refers to public opinion of the Treaty. Discusses the details of providing for George Washington Lafayette (son of the Marquis de Lafayette and the President's godson). Relates that he has arranged for Lafayette to be cared for by Senator George Cabot and entered in the…

GLC02437.09430

circa 1790

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript document

Title: [Drafts of secret articles in a treaty between the United States and the Creek Nation]

A working manuscript that has been corrected by Knox probably intended for George Washington. Consists of several secret articles pertaining to the proposed treaty; in each case, "secret" has been struck. One article grants trading rights in United States ports. If the Spanish obstruct Creek commerce, promises to transport Creek goods through United States territory until the obstruction is removed, as long as the goods do not exceed 60,000 dollars in worth. Another article appoints Alexander McGillivray, Chief of the Creek Nation, as Brigadier General in the United States Army with 1,200…

GLC02437.09459

May 1773

Manuscript document

Title: [List of German settlers on east side of Broad Bay]

List of German settlers on the east side of Broad Bay received from the Schoolmaster in May 1773.

GLC02437.09082

6 April 1821

Adair, John, 1757-1840

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Horace Holley

Kentucky Governor Adair regrets that commitments make it impossible for him to attend an exhibition at Transylvania University on 7 April 1821 to which Holley, the university's president, had invited him.

GLC02497.01

13 October 1936

Hoover, J. Edgar, 1895-1972

Typed letter signed

Title: to D. T. Schoonover

Thanks him for commending his speech entitled, "True Costs of Crime." Signed as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Addressed to Schoonover as Dean of Marietta College, Ohio.

GLC02504.23

14 April 1845

Greenleaf, Simon, 1783-1853

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis E. Parker, Anson Burlingame, and A. Peniston

Greenleaf, a Harvard University professor, declines a dinner invitation from committee members of the Dane Law School (possibly another name given to Harvard's Law School). States that "a meeting of the Law School in Boston will be a surrender of its distinctive character as an association of literary men." Suggests using the new rooms in Dane Hall for the proposed meeting.

GLC02504.20

7 June 1750

Oliver, Andrew, fl. 1750

Document signed

Title: to Messrs. Williams & Hopkins s

Discusses the principles and moral character of Mr. Stiles, possibly Ezra Stiles, President of Yale College.

GLC02505.33

13 April 1831

Story, Joseph, 1779-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Theodore Sedgwick, Jr.

Informs Sedgwick that Chief Justice John Marshall resides in Richmond, Virginia and mail for him should be sent there. Remarks that Sedgwick is highly esteemed at Cambridge Law School. Addressed to Sedgwick in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

GLC02505.39

29 December 1847

Stephens, Alexander Hamilton, 1812-1883

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James R. Branche

Stephens, a United States Representative from Georgia, responds to a communication from [Branche?], Corresponding Secretary of the Franklin Literary Society of Randolph Macon College in Ashland, Virginia. Thanks Branche and the society for his election to the society's roll of honorary membership. Offers words of praise concerning the society.

GLC02469.25

13 May 1805

Webster, Noah, 1758-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Silliman

Webster mentions books he has received from Messrs. Bull & Co., and so no longer requires from Silliman. Asks Silliman to look for other specific books. Webster also mentions the majority by which Jonathan Trumbull had won the recent Connecticut gubernatorial election. Addressed to Silliman in England. Address leaf contains the note that this is a duplicate letter sent by the ship Polly. These books helped Webster in compiling his 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. Two black and white bust engravings of Webster included.

GLC02513

1837-1908

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Header Record

Title: Robert H. Stafford Collection [Decimalized .01- .98]

Stafford enlisted as a sergeant in the 12th Alabama infantry. Contains letters and newsclippings about the Peninsula Campaign, advance into Maryland, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Early's raid on Washington, D.C. Preliminary inventory included.

GLC02618

3 July 1865

Bingham, John Armor, 1815-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Orville Nelson Hartshorn

Thankful for his election as a Trustee of Mount Union College, and promises to do a good job.

GLC02467.04

July 13, 1854

Gray, Asa, 1810-1888

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Writes to an unknown bookseller asking if he has copies of Gray's manual of botany available because Mr. Willis, the principal of the Freehold Institute, is not able to obtain a copy. Asks what the selling price is. With small square fragment of blue lined paper with text, possibly cut from another letter. Addressed from Banbridge.

GLC02475.06

20 August 1842

Goodyear, Charles, 1800-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Silliman

Sends Silliman, chemistry professor at Yale, enclosed examples (not included) of his improvements in gum elastic. Claims that "the elastic articles will not loose their elastic quality by age or by use."

GLC02480.09

15 June 1880

Langley, Samuel Pierpont, 1834-1906

Autograph letter signed

Title: to T.M. Barber

Discusses editing a paragraph describing an observatory in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania. Addressed to Barber as Professor, Western University of Pennsylvania.

GLC02480.14